The biggest story following Tiger Woods' 78th PGA Tour victory at Sawgrass became his feud over the weekend with Sergio Garcia. The second was whether Woods lied about marshals telling him Garcia had already shot.
Garcia blamed Woods for distracting him on Saturday during his shot at the second hole. He claimed Woods incited the crowd to make noise by drawing a club out in the middle of his shot.
"The marshals, they told me he already hit, so I pulled a club and was getting ready to play my shot," Woods said on Saturday after hearing Garcia's comments.
Head marshal John North, however, disputed Woods' claim on Monday. He told Sports Illustrated that no marshal ever communicated to Woods that Garcia had hit.
"Nothing was said to us and we certainly said nothing to him," North said. "I was disappointed to hear him make those remarks. We're there to help the players and enhance the experience of the fans. He was saying what was good for him. It lacked character."
In yet another twist, two other marshals came forward on Wednesday and contested North's statement, according to the Florida Times-Union.
"It is not true and definitely unfair to Tiger," Brian Nedrich, who was a marshal at the second hole, said. "That's because I was the one Tiger heard say that Sergio had hit."
"Tiger Woods did not lie," Marshal Lance Pczkowski said. "Was there a small mistake in what he remembered? Yes. But I don't think it rises to the level of lying."
A miscommunication was to blame for the controversial second hole. Nedrich, who could barely see Garcia through the trees, said he saw a glimpse of Garcia swinging, then saw a ball in the air. When Pczkowski tried to quiet the crowd because Garcia hadn't hit yet, Nedrich told the marshal, "No ... he's already hit."
Woods removed a club and the crowd cheered, miffing Garcia in the process and creating the ensuing controversy.
"Tiger had already taken his club, but we did tell him that Sergio had hit," Nedrich said.
Nedrich and Pczkowski's clarification helps to dispel recent headlines calling Woods a liar.
"I hope this demonstrates to some reporters the importance of accuracy and not jumping to misplace conclusions," Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg said on Wednesday.
